By By Thomas Tingle
Record Managing Editor
The streets of downtown Madison will come alive on Saturday, Oct. 5 as the 22nd annual Madison Street Festival is set for a day of family fun and entertainment.
Organizers of the event are expecting a crowd of 20,000. The festival kicks off at 8:45 a.m. with a parade that will wind through Madison's historical section in downtown. After the opening ceremonies, led by the Bob Jones High School Marching Band, food, activities and booths will be set up throughout the downtown area.
Four stages will be set up for local performers to sing, play or dance. Living history demonstrations will be set up and craft vendors with homemade wares from lawn decorations to novelty toys will be available.
The Art League of Madison will feature an art contest and area artists will get the chance to show off their talents during an art exhibition. Children will have plenty to do as a "Children's Corner" will be set up with plenty of games and amusement for all ages.
Don't bring a lunch with you. There will be plenty to eat at the festival. Funnel cakes, pizza, popcorn and soft drinks will be available.
No admission is charged. For more information about the Madison Street Festival, call 1-888-228-5845 or visit the Web site at www.madisonstreetfestival.org.
The festival committee is made up of Rhonda and Dean Boaz, Pat and Hugh Clements, Chuck Duckett, Liz Glenn, Heather McFarland, Gregg and Brenda Parker, Jennifer Roberts and Linda and Paul Zutter.
Madison Street Festival Inc. is an all-volunteer, nonprofit corporation. Money raised at the event will go toward the event's expenses with the remaining funds going to the city of Madison.
The Madison Street Festival will end at 5 p.m.